Switch



Jan. 24, 1933.

M. H. RHODES SWITCH Filed Feb. 14, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 24, 1933.M. H. RHODES 1,395,393

I SWITCH Filed Feb. -l4, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 avg Qf/ZZ /4 27 lll IIIII/ Patented Jan. 24, 1933 UNITED sures PATIENT orrica IAROUB H.RHODES, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, .usmxon TO I. K. BHODI,

A CORPORATION OF nmwm swrrmr This invention relates to switches, andwith regard to certain more specific features, to time-controlled, delaed action switches.

\ Among the several ob ects of the invention may be noted the rovisionof a switch of the class described w ich is adapted, automatically uponthrowing of the switch to On position to cut ofi the flow of currentafter a predetermined interval; provision of a switchof the classdescribed which includes means for automatically returning the switch toits normal, circuit broken position upon an actuation thereof; theprovision of a switc of the class described wherein the period orinterval of time during which the circuit is allowed to be made ispredeterminable before the switch is installed; and the rovision of aswitch of the class described w ich is simple and accurate in operationand which involves a minimum number of arts adapted to wear out andnecessitate rep acement and the like. Other objects will be in artobvious and in part pointed out hereina ter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements andcombinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts, whichwill be exemplified in the structure hereinafter described and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a switch embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the switch of i Fig. 3is a plan view of asupporting plate;

substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross section taken Fig. 9 is a vertical sectiontaken along line .99 ofFig. 4;

Fig. 10 is an ideal line 10-10 of Fi a; a

Fig. 11 is a agmentary elevation illustrating the manner in which a mainspring is mounted;

Fig. 12 is a fragmetary cross section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10illustrating an escapement mechanism; and,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentar section taken on lines 13-13 of Figs. 10 an 12.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 1 indicates aflush face plate of the t e generally used for wall mount" of electricalswitches. A central 0 ning permits a control handle 5 of a switch 7 toextend outwardly to an available manilpulating position. Screws 9 holdthe face p ate 1 to the switch 7.

From the exterior the switch 7 will be seen section taken along tocomprise a mounting plate 11 (which with the face plate screws 9 engage)and a switch housing 13 having exterior connecting terminals 15 and 17mounted thereon. The housing 13 is preferably formed of an insulatinmaterial, such as bakelite (a phenolic con ensation product) or thelike. The housing 13 is held to the mounting plate 11 by screws 19 (seeFigs. 4 and 5). i

The mounting plate 11 is illustrated in detail in Fig. 3. It will beseen that it comprises a long, relatively narrow vertical portion 12having sideward' portions 21 and 23 extending at right angles from thegeneral plane of the plate. A central opening 14 permits passage of theswitch handle 5. Openings 16 at the extremities of the plate 11 permitattachment of the switch as a whole to a permanently installed wallhousing or the like. Threaded holes 18 are provided to receive the faceplate mounting screws 9 and threaded holes 20 to receive the switchhousing mountin screws 19.

The switc 7 per se as it fits within the housing 13 comprises generallya contactor bar which is actuated tomovement by mechanical means, and atiming system which in turn interce ts the operation of the mechanicalactuatlng means. For purposes of description, the mechanical means(including the contactor bar) and the time control means will bedescribed separately and then. correlated.

The mechanical actuating means will be seen in Figs. 4 and 5. A plate25, which is shaped with substantially the same contour as the housing13, is attached to the ortion 21 of the mounting plate by means rivetsor spot welding or the like as indicated at numeral 27 in Fig. 5.

Supported at one side in the'plate 2 5, and

- at the other side in the sideward portion 23,

thin portion 35, in the region of the projection 37.

Mounted rigidly on the switch handle 5,

embracing the thin portion 35' thereof, and extending into thedepression 41,-is a saddle member 43. This saddle 43 comprises a pair oflegs 45, which fit snugly against the sides of the handle 5, and across-piece 47 at right angles to the legs 45. The pin 29 passes throughthe legs 45. The cross-piece 47 engages the nose 39 of the projection 37of the switch 5, whereby the saddle 43 is, relative to rotation on thepin 29, fixed to the handle 5. That is to say, the saddle 43' is mountedon the handle 5 in a fixed, non-rotatable manner. The cross-piece 47 isprovided with a nose 49 which engages one end of a compression spring 51to be described more in detail hereinafter.

Associated with the saddle 43 is a movement limiting means for thehandle 5 (see Fig. 7). The. movement limiting-means per se. comprises aflat h shaped piece 53, having parallel legs 55 and 57, and a singleextending leg 59. The leg 55 passes loosely through a pair of holes 61in the legs 45 of the saddle 43. The single extending leg 59 passesthrough a slot 63 in the plate 25 having a predetermined length. Theportion of the leg 59 extending through-the plate 25 serves to wind upor actuate a main spring to be described hereinafter. Considering thatthe saddle 43 is fixed to the handle 5, and that the plate 25 isrelatively a part of the stationary ground wherein the handle 5 rotates,

63 limits the rotation or movement of the handle 5.

Also mounted on the pin 29, in this instance rotatably mounted, is asecond saddle 65 embracing the saddle 43. The saddle 65, hereinaftertermed the hammer saddle, comprises a pair of relatively long legs 67,through which the pin 29 passes (loosely enough to permit of readyrotation), and a hammer portion 69 at right angles thereto. The hammerportion 69 has a nose 71 thereon which engages the other end of thecompression spring 51. Movement of the hammer saddle 65 is limited by apair of ears 73 struck from the plate 25.

It will be seen that the saddles 43 and 65 together with the compressionspring 51 comprise an overcentering toggle. In Fig. 5, motion of thehandle 5 in a leftward direction, through the saddle 43, compresses thespring 51 against the saddle 65', which is immovable because of itsengagement with the righthand ear 73, until the saddles 43 and 65 passthe parallel position, at which time the compressed spring reacts tosuddenly throw the hammer saddle 65 to the left against the left handmovement-limiting ear 73, as is shown in Fig. 8. A similar reaction andover-centering action causes the hammer saddle 65 to snap sharply fromthe left to the. right, when the handle 5 is moved back to its righthand position.

In this manner, the switch functions to.

make and break connections with a quick, positive, snap action, andarcing and sparking are thus avoided.

' The electrical connections in the switch will be seen particularly inFigs. 4, 5 and 8. The exterior terminals 15 and 17 comprise,respectively, metallic strips 75 and 77 which are held to the housing 13by means of screws 79, and which receive in threaded engagement screws81 (see Fig. 4). 'By means of the screws 81, exterior connections to theswitch are made. The metallic strip 75 extends into the housing 13,spaced from the side wall thereof, and is provided with a slantingknife-edge contacting portion 83. The metallic strip 77 extends into thehousing 13, also spaced from the side wall thereof, and is provided witha knife-edge contacting portion 85 similar to the contacting portion81,but facing in a different direction.

Formed in interior of the back of the housing 13 is a protruding ear 87.A pin or shaft 89 passes through the side of the housing 13andthreadedly engages the ear 87 (see Figs. 4, 6 and 8). On the pin 89is rotatably mounted a contactor bar-anvil assembly 91. The parts of theassembly 91 are non-rotatable or otherwise movable relative toeach'other, but the assembly as a whole rotates freely on the pin 89.

a The assembly 91 comprises an anvil piece it will be seen thatengagement of the single 93, and a contactor bar 95, together withsuitextendmg leg 59 w1th the ends of the slot able spacing washers, allmounted on a sleeve i menses vil pieoe93 referably formed of insulating4 5 65 (see Fig.

- and the s and 85 wi on the back to the right material, inc udes anotch 99 which engages the hammer portion 69 of the'hammer saddle 5).The contactor bar 95 comprises a pair of slpring-metal strips 101 shapedto engage an disengage, by rotat on in 89, the knife-edge contactingstrips 83 and 85. The relative shape of the bar 95 acing of thecontacting strips 83 be apparent from Fig. 5.

As thehammer saddle 65 snaps from Fig. 5 position to Fig. 8 position, asdescribed hereinbefore, its engagement with the notch 99 in theanvilpiece 93 causes the assembly 91 to rotate, as a whole, on the,pin89, and consequently causes the contactor bar 95 to rotate into and outof contact with the pieces 83 and '85. Thus making and breaking of anelectrical connection from terminal 15 to terminal 17 is effected in asudden, snap-acting manner by simple movement of the switch controlhandle 5.

The above description has been made without consideration of thelatching effect of the timing control means. In operation of the switchtogether with the time'control means, a latch intercepts or preventsmotion of the hammer saddle 65 when it tends to swing or Fig. 5 positionfrom its Fig. 8 position, as will bedescribed hereinafter... The timecontrolling mechanism is illustrated generally in Figs. 4 and 10.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4, and 9 it will be seen thatthere is a second plate 111 which is substantially the same shape asplate 25 described hereinbefore in connection with the switchconstruction, and

which is held in place in said plate 25 in spaced relation by means ofspacing collars 115 and screws 117 (see Fig. 5). A main shaft 109 isrotatably supported in the plates 111 and 25.

Mounted on the main shaft 109 in such a manner as to react against therelatively stationary plate 111 is a main spring 119. The manner ofmounting the main spring 119 is illustrated more in detail in Fig. 11,where it will be seen that one end of said spring passes around andhooks upon an ear 121 struck from the plate 111, while the other end ofsaid s ring 119 is hooked over a projection 123 ormed on the main shaft109. pair of cars 125, likewise struck from the plate 111, serve to holdthe main spring 119 in coiled form.

In order to prevent the. main sprin 119 from releasing sidewardly, andin or er to cover 127 is prevented from rotating on the main shaft 109because it is formed so as to 119, thereby occasioning a reverse torqueon said main shaft 109.

An escapement mechanism is provided to permit the torque so produced inthe main spring 119 to expend itself by rotatin the main shaft 109 onlyat a predetermin rate of speed. This escapement is shown in Figs. 9 and10. A large gear 131 is mounted loosely on the main shaft 109. The largeear 131 is provided with a number of space openings 132 therein.

Mounted in a non-rotatable manner on'the main shaft 109 in juxtapositionto the large gear 131 is a friction disc or pawl wheel 133. The gawlwheel 133 has fin ers134 thereon, whic are adapted to exten in line withthe openings 132 in the main gear 131. The arrangement between. thefingers 134 and the openings 132 is such that the shaft 109 may turnwhen winding up the main sprin 119, without rotating the large gear 131,and also that the engagement of the fingers 134 and the openings 132will not permit the main spring 1l9,'after it has been wound up, tounwind without turning the gear 131 which is itself connected to theregulating escapement single tooth 138 occasions the winding of the mainspring 119'to a definite extent, determined by the angular rotation ofthe main shaft 109. After the main spring has been so wound, the pawlwheel engages the main gear 131 whereby the escapement mechanism iscaused to operate and the device run down slowly. This will be describedmore particularly hereinafter. It is to be noted, however, that afterthe cam wheel 136 has been turned to one angular displacement by amotion of the main control handle 5, that the tooth 138 is held awayfrom and is not again engaged by the extending leg 59. It is thus seenthat the control handle may be manipulated a number of times, but onlythe first manipulation is effective to wind the main en permitted to rundown in. the meantime. Engaging the teeth of the gear 131 is a geartrain. In the present embodiment the gear train comprises a pinion 135,driven by the gear 131, and which is mounted on a shaft 137 supportedbetween the plates 111 and rtion 129 on the I spring 119, unless ofcourse, the device has provide additional protection against the be 25.Also mounted upon the shaft 137 in an immovable fashion is a large gear139. The large gear 139 in turn drives a second pinion 141 on a shaft143having a second large gear 145 mounted thereon. The pinion 141, shaft143, and large gear 145 are, respectively, similar to the pinion 135,shaft 137, and large gear 139.

The large gear 145 in its turn drives a third pinion 147, similar to thepinions 135 and 141, which is mounted on a shaft 149, similar to theshafts 137 and 143. Tmmovably mounted on the shaft 149 is also asprocket wheel 151, the shape of which will be more apparent byinspection of Fig. 12. The shafts 137, 143 and 149 are all supported byend bearings in the plates 111 and 25.

It will be seen that there is a large increase in angular motion fromthe gear 131 to the sprocket wheel 151, or considering it in the reversemanner, there is a large decrease in angular motion from the sprocketwheel 151 to the gear 131. This increase or decrease, considered eitherWay, is controlled by the relative sizes of the gears 131, 139, and 145,

- and the pinions 135, 141 and 147.

Engaging with the sprocket Wheel 151 is the escapement mechanism per se.This escapement mechanism (see also Figs. 12 and 13) comprises a balancewheel 153 mounted on a balance wheel shaft 155, which is pivoted betweenbearing plates 157 and 159 which are threaded into the plates 111 and25, respectively. The bearing plate 157 is provided with a square headso'that adjustment of the pressure on the shaft 155 may be effected. Ingeneral, the bearing plates 157 and 159 are adjusted so that the shaft155 turns loosely in them.

A hair spring 161 is secured at one end I to the shaft 155, as indicatedat numeral 163 (Fig. 13), and at the other end to the rela tivelystationary plate 111, as at numeral 165 (Figs. 9 and 10). This hairspring 161 is arranged to provide a small counter-clockwise torque onthe shaft 155, as viewed from the side represented by the plate 111.

The shaft 155 is provided with a notch 167 out therein, at the region ofits engagement with the sprocket wheel 151. The notch 167, when in aproper position, permits the sprocket wheel 151 to turn freely, as willbe described hereinafter.

Extending at substantially a right angle from a spoke of the balancewheel 153 is a pin 169. The pin 169 engages teeth of the sprocket wheel151 and cooperates with the notch 167 to form an intermittent escapementmechanism for the sprocket wheel 151. This escapement operation will beapparent by reference to Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, there is a clockwisetorque on the sprocket wheel 151 provided by the main spring 119 actingthrough the gear train 131, 135, 139, 141, 145

and 147. 1

There is a smaller counterclockwise torque on the balance wheel 153provided by the hair spring 161. The torque on the balance wheel 153forces the pin 169 against the edge of a tooth 171 of the sprocket wheel151. The greater torque on the tooth 171 causes it to advance, therebyforcing the pin 169, by a cam action, to rotate against the torque ofthe hair spring 161. Rotation of the pin 169 causes coextensive rotationof the balance wheel 153, and the balance wheel shaft 155. The shaft 155is thus caused to rotate in such a manner that the notch 167 is turnedaway from a next-advancing tooth 17 3 of the sprocket wheel 151. Withoutthe notch 167 in proper position, the tooth 173 cannot pass the balancewheel shaft 155, and is stopped thereby.

Returning to the action of the tooth 171 on the pin 169, the force onsaid pin exerted by the tooth 171 is sufiiciently great to occasion therotation of said pin 169, against the torque of the hair spring 161, toan extent considerably greater than merely to pass over the crest of thetooth 171. In other words, the pin 169 is snapped away to roreverse thedirection of rotation of the pin 169 y and thus force said pin backtowards the sprocket wheel 1151. With the tooth 17 3 against the shaft155, the pin 169 is rotated into the depression between the teeth 171and 17 3. This rotation of the pin 169 by the hair spring 161 occasionscoextensive rotation of i the shaft 155, with the result that as the pin169 reaches a position of contact with the forward edge of the tooth173, the notch 167 is brought into proper position to permit the forwardrotation of the tooth 173, acting i under the torque of the main spring119. So advancing, the leading edge of the tooth 173 engages and rotatesthe pin 169 against the torque of the hair spring 161, and the actionof? the tooth 171 is thus repeated by the tooth 1 3. I

In such a'manner the balance wheel 153 and its attached parts serve topermit only timed, intermittent motion of the sprocket wheel 151, and,through the gear train 147, 145, 141, 139, 135, 131, the main shaft 109.By reason of the reduction effect of the gear train, as describedhereinbefore, the main shaft 109 is accordingly permitted to rotate atonly a very slow speed, and the main spring lever 175 and passes throuf. a f am" no, wound t this unwind: only w it numeral 175 in Fig. 4 isillustrated alatch lever (see also 5) which is rotat- 5 ably mounted atone on on a pin 177 which is in turn sup orted in holes suitablypositioned in the p ates 25 and 111. The lever 17 5 1s immovably securedonthe in 177 so that rotation of said pin and said ever areco-extensivet gA sprin wire 179 passes through a hole in the pm 17 andrests at its other end a inst one of the collars 115. The spring 1 9holds the lever 17 5 normally in its upper position (see Fig. 5). r

The lever 17 5, at its right hand, free moving end, (see Fig. 5) isprovided with a sloping cam surface 181 which is adapted to engage witha lug or the like. 183 struck from pawl wheel 133. formed on the freemovin end of the lever 175 is a lugrgr latch 185, w ch extends at rightangles 111 said gh an opening 187 in the plate into a position adaptedto intercept movement of the hammer saddle 65. Under influence of thespring. 17 9 the lug or latch 185 is normally in positlon to interce tthe hammer saddle but when the lever 175 is depressed, as by theengagement of the lug 183 on the cam surface 181, the latch 185 isforced out of position and the hammer saddle 65 is permitted to swinfreely. I A tension spring 189 is attached at one end to a lug 191formed in the switch handle 5, and at the other end to the relativelystationary plate 25. The spring 189 is originally given sufiicienttension to cause the automatic return of the switch handle 5 to theright hand position regardless of whether it is manually returned tosaid position or not.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

Assuming the switch to be in its Fig. 5 or normal position, it will beseen'that the contactor bar 95 is disconnected from the terminals and77. If now the control handle 5 is thrown to the left, by reason of theovercentering action of the spring 51 as described hereinbefore, thehammer saddle 65 is immediately thrown to the left'thereby engaging theanvil piece 93 and causing'the con- .tactor bar to snap into connectionand electrically complete the circuit from the terminal piece 75 to theterminal piece 77. The latch 185 does not obstruct the leftward motionof the hammer saddle 65because of the resilient position in which it isheld by the spring 179 and because of the sloping back surface 193 ofsaid hammer saddle 65.

At the same time the handle 5 is moved to the right, itwill be seen that'the h shaped piece 53 engaging the cam'wheel 136 winds the main springa predetermined amount by rotating the main shaft 109. the same time themainshaft is rotated, the pawl wheel I 131 is rotated and the lug 183 isbrought out of contact with the sloping surface 181 the, lever 17 5,thereb permitting said lever to resume its no upward position with thelatch 185 terce ti the motion of the ham-I."

mer saddle 65. position the hand of the operator .is removed from thecontrol handle 5. The spring 189 immediately reacts on the controlhandle 5 and returns it to its righthand, Fig. 5 position. The return torighthand position of the control handle 5 places an overcentering togle action and the ammer saddle 65 to tend to return to the righthandposition. However the latch 185 is interposed in the path of the hammersaddle 65, so said hammer saddle is retained in its said lefthandposition re ardless of the position of the handle 5. The ammer saddle 65is accordingly held to the left and the positions of the variouselements. is that shown 1n 1 By the original motion of the controlhandle 5, however, tension has been placed in the main spring 119, andthe gear train and escapement mechanism commence to function, permittingthe main spring 119 and the main shaft attached thereto to rotate slowlyback to normal position; This action proceeds for a predeterminedinterval of time as controlled by the gear train and; the speed of theescapement mechanism per se, until finally the lug 183 on the pawl wheel133 is brought against the sloping face 181 of the lever 17 5. As thisaction occurs, the lug 183 depresses the lever 17 5, and carries thelatch 185 out of the path of the hammer saddle 65. WVith the latch 185out of its path the hammer saddle 65 immediately snaps, under the actionof the compression spring 61, to the right, thereby hitting the anvilpiece 93 and rotating the contactor bar assembl 95 out of contact withthe terminals 75 an 7 7, thus breaking the electrical contact action andallowing the switch to resume its Fig. 5 position.

It is accordingly seen that with the present invention a simple movementof the control handle 5 to On position, after which the hand of theoperator is removed causes the switch to complete the electrical circuitfor a predetermined time after which the circuit is automaticall broken.The present inven tion is particu arly'applicablein places or locationswhere electric lights or fiatirons and the like are but seldom used andthere is a possibility that a person would leave the light or flatironon and walk away, with the result that the light would remain on whenthere existed no need for it. For exam le, in the book stacks oflibraries, it is desira le to have a switch which will cause the lightto remain on only for a short time, after which time it willautomatically turn off. The present invention achieves this end with aminimum of exposed or complicated parts.

It will be apparent that while the switch with a snap as a whole hasbeendescribed in an embodiment wherein the On operation is manual and thethe several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageousresults ohtained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructionswithout dearting from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccomanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

ll claim:

1. An electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a ,bontactor baradapted to rotate in and out or contact with said terminals, a controlhandle, a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to anormal posi tion, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle andactuating said contactor bar, said hammer saddle being adapted to rotatesaid contactor bar out of contact with said terminals when said controlhandle is returned to its normal position, a latch adapted to interceptsaid hammer saddle to prevent disconnecting of said contactor bar fromsaid terminals, and a timing train adapted to remove said latch fromoperating position after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

. An electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a contactor baradapted to rotate in and out of contact with said terminals, a controlhandle, a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to anormal position, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle andactuating said contactor bar,

said hammer saddle being adapted to rotate said contactor bar out ofcontact with said terminals when said control handle is returned to itsnormal position, a latch adapted to intercept said hammer saddle toprevent disconnecting of said contactor bar from said terminals, and atiming train adapted to remove said latch from operating position aftera predetermined time interval has elapsed, said timing train being inturn actuated to operate when said control handle'is removed from normalposition.

3. An electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a contactor baradapted to rotate in and out of contact with said terminals, a controlhandle, a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to anormal posi-- tion, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle andactuating said contactor bar, said hammer saddle being adapted to rotatesaid contactorbar out of contact with said terminals when. said controlhandle 'is returned to its normalposition, a latch adapted to interceptsaid hammer saddle to preneeasee main spring and said control handlewhereby removal of said control handle from normal position efiectswinding of said main sprm.

4. electric switch comprising a pair of terminals, a contactor baradapted to rotate in and. out of contact with said terminals, a controlhandle,-a tension spring adapted to return said control handle to anormal position, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle andactuating said contactor bar, said hammer saddle bein adapted to rotatesaid contactor bar out 0 contact with said terminals when said controlhandle is returned to its normal position, a latch adapted to interceptsaid hammer saddle to prevent disconnecting of said contactor bar fromsaid spring and release or said timing train for operation. i i

5. An electric switch comprising a plurality of terminals, a contactorbar adapted to move into a plurality of operative phases with respect tosaid terminals, including connecting and disconnecting phases, a controlhandle, means adapted to return. said control handle to a normalposition, a hammer saddle actuated by said control handle and actuatingsaid contactor bar, said hammer saddle being adapted to move saidcontactor bar from one operative phase to a second operative phase whensaid control handle is returned to its normal position, a latch adaptedto intercept said hammer saddle to prevent said contactor bar frommoving into said second operative phase, and a timing train adapted toremove said latch from operating position after a predetermined timeinterval has elapsed.

6. An electric switch comprising a plurality of terminals, a contactorbar adapted to move into a plurality of operative phases with respect tosaid terminals, including connecting and disconnecting phases, a controlhandle, return means adapted instantaneously to return said controlhandle to a normal position whenever said control handle is actuated,means connecting said control handle and said contactor baradapted, whensaid control handle is moved from normal position, to move saidcontactor bar into one operative phase, and also adapted, when said

